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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Dujon Sterling on Rangers home comforts and Michael Beale influence

Dujon Sterling hopes he has found somewhere he can call home after signing a pre-contract with Rangers.

The defender will officially join the Ibrox club on July 1 on a four-year-deal as he becomes Michael Beale’s second signing of the summer transfer window.

After penning his bumper deal Sterling shared his excitement about the move to Glasgow as he looked ahead to a positive future in Light Blue.

He said: “I am really excited to come to such a big club, there's a lot of history and the supporters are so passionate as well, so I am thrilled.

“I can improve here, I have seen in the past players come here and show their worth but for me right now it is just about being somewhere I feel welcome and that I can call my home and show what I can do for the fans.

“It feels like I am one of the first steps in a rebuild, I feel like I am an important piece as well and everyone is making me feel like I'm important so that is a good thing. This will be the first time in six years where I know what I am doing before the new season starts. It is great that I can finally have a proper pre-season with the team and get to know them before the season starts.”

The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Chelsea, said positive conversations with manager Michael Beale sold him on a move north of the border.

He continued: “I got to speak to the gaffer straight away, I had a lot of clubs in for me but as soon as he gave me the proposal of what he wanted to do I left that meeting and I said yeah, I'm signing here.

“I wasn't expecting to make my mind up about my future this quickly but what he proposed to me was everything that I need. We were on the same wavelength, he believes in me and I believe in what he is trying to do as well so it was a no-brainer for me.

“It was how much passion he has to win, how much he wants to see players succeed and how much he believes in my ability as well. He wants everyone in this team to be on the same page and I think that is important especially if you want to be winning titles like this club really wants to do.”

On his style of play, Sterling hopes he can show the fans both his defending and attacking qualities when he takes to the pitch next season.

He added: “I am a hard tackler, I like to be in battles, I do like to get forward, when necessary, but I always make sure I do the first part of my job and that is defending properly.

“When I get let loose then I can be a threat, but I always want to do my job first because obviously we have eleven players on the pitch, everyone has to do their own job and then if reinforcement is needed then I'll be there.”

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